We Work Hard to Ensure Dental Implant Success for Patients of All Ages

Restoring Smiles in Teens and Young Adults

Regardless of whether the tooth or teeth are lost due to injury, decay, or some kind of developmental abnormality, most dentists and periodontists will advise against replacing a teenager’s missing tooth with a dental implant.

Although implants have an extremely high success rate and are now considered the preferred tooth replacement solution for adults, it’s too risky to perform the procedure on teenagers since there’s no dependable biologic marker to establish when they have finished growing.

Healthy Smiles Are Our Top Priority

Implants Act Like Your Natural Teeth

Replacing a single missing tooth can be most authentically accomplished with a single dental implant. The post of the implant mimics the root of your tooth while the dental crown looks and functions just like your natural tooth, requiring no additional maintenance.

Adult Tooth Replacement in Tinton Falls, NJ

While dental implants are the preferred option for tooth replacement in adults, it is recommended that teens and young adults avoid this treatment when tooth loss occurs. When devastating tooth loss occurs in a young person, it is important that they realize the medical reasons a dental implant would be discouraged. Dr. Jeffrey Zatzkin is a periodontist offering teens and adults solutions for tooth replacement in Tinton Falls, NJ.

Dental implants need a sufficient amount of bone to be placed into and while implants fuse to your jaw bone and preserve it like natural teeth, they do not fuse in the exact same way. Often a person’s jaw bone will not stop growing until their late teens, and with some young men it will not finish growing until their early 20’s. It is much too risky to place dental implants in a jaw bone that continues to grow. If placed too early, the dental implants will stay fixed in the spot they were placed and not move with the jaw, causing problematic discrepancies in the alignment of the teeth. There are other options for your teen when tooth loss occurs, such as a temporary removable partial. Eventually, they will be able to receive a dental implant. Ask Dr. Zatzkin about other successful treatment options for tooth replacement.

For adults, dental implants are an excellent long term permanent solution to replace missing teeth. With proper home care and maintenance, your dental implants might never need to be replaced. Eat whatever you want and speak with confidence. Enjoy a natural, healthy looking smile whether you have one missing tooth or are fully edentulous. Dental implants look and function like your natural teeth, preserving your jaw bone and promoting excellent oral health.

Dr. Zatzkin offers all phases of periodontics, dental implants, and sedation dentistry. Our goal is to provide you with complete and personalized periodontal care in a friendly and professional atmosphere serving patients from Tinton Falls, Red Bank, Eatontown, Oceantownship, Middletown, and surrounding areas. You can schedule an appointment through our convenient online form. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.